The Future holds....?

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georgi

Well for someone in the waiting room like myself, I did a bad thing.........
I read the "In Memory" forum. It was so sad. Life can be really hard, when I had cancer at age 35 I was given 6 months or less. 22 yeas later, Here I am! :) You just never know when God calls you home. Even with all of the added years that I have been blessed with, I still get scared at the thought of OHS and a Valve replacement. Just what is the prognoses for the future? It looks like some healthy looking people just did not make it. It makes me wonder why? Am I afraid to die? Yeah in away, but I have faith and that gets me through everyday. Plus, 22 yeas ago I asked God to let me live to see my kids grown. Gee, not only did that happen, but I got a bonus in4 grandchildren:D I think in away that the adversities of life mades us stronger. What do you think? Just know that I am rooting for us all. Those that have gone through OHS and those of us in the waiting room.
georgi
 
Well, my husband is one of those in that forum. He was not supposed to live past 50 years old, but along came heart valve surgery, and then a couple more of them, and he lived to be 75 years old, surpassing many of his highschool buddies.

I'd say that was a pretty good run, for someone who was medically, a very challenged man.

Heart valve surgery works, and it works well.

No one is guaranteed tomorrow, but if heart valve surgery is needed, it is a life saver. At least it is a problem that has a "fix".
 
Nancy said:
Well, my husband is one of those in that forum. He was not supposed to live past 50 years old, but along came heart valve surgery, and then a couple more of them, and he lived to be 75 years old, surpassing many of his highschool buddies.

I'd say that was a pretty good run, for someone who was medically, a very challenged man.

Heart valve surgery works, and it works well.

No one is guaranteed tomorrow, but if heart valve surgery is needed, it is a life saver. At least it is a problem that has a "fix".
Click to expand...

Yes Nancy, It looks like your husband had a good run. Me too! I am so thankfull for eveyday and so pleased that I live in this day and age. My uncle and grandfather were not so lucky. Their heart disorders caused them to die early. The technology today is so advanced. My dad lived to 94 he had a AAA. His anurysm 11cm. [No Joke] That did not kill him, he died of old age.
I am also thankfull for people like you and others on the board that have been there. I think my next step will be to find the very best heart surgeon in the Phoenix area.
Thanks for responding to my post. You all keep the music set on "CALM" in the waiting room.:)
Blessings,
georgi
 
Just wanted to wish you luck and to tell you that you are in my thoughts and prayers that everything turns out well for you. I too am waiting. Looks like January 22 is going to be my date. I need aortic valve replacement and have a heart cath scheduled on the 9th of January.
 
waiting room

waiting room

I recently had my avr done on 3/30/07 it was done after a yearly check-up and in a matter of about 8days, that fast. I was scared out of my witts, but I had 2 friends that had ohs and tried to absorb eveything they had to say. The pain was nothing like I imagined it to be and I had great after care. I think the right mind frame helps even if I was scared I made the statement that I would be home in 4days, and you know what I was. Keep a positive attitude and do everything they tell you and things will be fine. My prayers and thoughts are with you!
 
maggiemay said:
I recently had my avr done on 3/30/07 it was done after a yearly check-up and in a matter of about 8days, that fast. I was scared out of my witts, but I had 2 friends that had ohs and tried to absorb eveything they had to say. The pain was nothing like I imagined it to be and I had great after care. I think the right mind frame helps even if I was scared I made the statement that I would be home in 4days, and you know what I was. Keep a positive attitude and do everything they tell you and things will be fine. My prayers and thoughts are with you!
Click to expand...

Yes,
A positive attitude is the way to go, plus having a great surgeon. When I had my surgery last month for my parathyroid tumor the surgeon said at that time, "There are alot of Heart Surgeons, but only a few really good ones"
I want the good one! LOL:D
georgi
 
Georgi, I've read the "In Memory" forum, too and for me it was a reality check. I truly believe that when your time is up....your time is up, but in the interim, I intend to take every opportunity to extend my stay, and OHS was just one of those opportunities. I've gone through it and, to be honest, I don't think I've ever felt more alive.

Best wishes and good luck.
 
georgi
you are surely right about when it is your time it is your time. Live each day to the fullest!
Praying that you feel much much better after the OHS.
Keep hainging out with us. You will find many here that have survived both OHS and cancer too.
 
As sad as it is to lose members who are part of our family and our friends, the "In Loving Memory" forum reminds me that we will all be remembered with love when it is our time. The assistance, guidance, support and love that is so prevalent on this site will keep our spirit alive long after we are gone. I am comforted by that thought and know that we will all be greeted by love when we finally meet those that have gone before us.

Try to think of it from that viewpoint and the forum will be a treasured place to visit courageous folks who have made such a difference in this field.

We will all be there eventually; we can only try to make our mark in the so brief time we have on this earth.

I will be praying for you and I am sure you will be fine and posting after your surgery before you know it.
 
In 1991, they told me I would not live more then 10 more years. Well I'm still here despite having an aneurysm blow and valve replacement while contracting a staph infection from an IV line. I've certainly had my foot in the dirt a couple of times since then, but Gods playbook must be a bit messed up. I'm certainly not in anyway healthy, but I'm not struck down bedridden either. I'll be seeing my first Grand child in June if I make it that long and fully intend too. Each day is a new beginning. During summer, I enjoy getting up at 4 am and going outside and listen to the birds waking up, then the world, then the rising of the Sun. Nothing like it and so many people miss it. Savor each day your given and make the most you can out of them.
 
"Time"

"Time"

Georgi, You are already a champion survivor! I had my OHS 23 years ago. My valve was recalled 3 months later. They told me they'd only replace it if it started to fail. The "statistics" say my valves average life span is 13 years, but as of last year, it was in "remarkable" condition, and still working very well!:) I'm hoping to see 60, and if I defy the odds that long, why not 70? I'm trying to live by "It's not how long, but how we live." I've a lot of waisted time to make up for...I really like your spirit, and can certainly empathize with your fears. If you feel they are consuming you, come talk with us. Sorry for your need to join us, but very glad you are here. All the best, Brian Mc
 
Dear Georgi,

Many a times I too have asked myself "why" am I still here after everything that has happened in my life? 32 years ago when I had my 2nd OHS, the surgeon told my mom & sister I had a 50/50 chance of making it! And low & behold, here I am. I had a 3rd OHS last year & thought I wasn't going to make it through that & here I am. My health is somewhat delicate at the moment & I'm being watched percariously (spelling?) but I'm still so blessed to be among the living!:) I thank God everyday for being here & don't regret a moment of it because I know it's made me more appreciative of everything & everyone around me!

Put yourself in God's merciful hands; I have no doubt that you will do just fine! Good luck to you & I'll keep you in my prayers!:)
 
I can't believe how lucky I am to have come upon this site. I have to be honest in my feelings and you all have let me do that and have not judged me. That is great. I have delt with many health issues over the years and done quite well. This one really blind sighted me. If I get right down to it, It is not the valve replacement that freaks me out. It is the breathing tube. I have damaged lungs from radiation and even now when I get a cough a bit of a tickle in my throat I get to where I can't breath. I feel like I am trying to suck air through a straw. I am a tough cookie, but that is a panic for me. So the operation itself I can do even though I am not crazy about it. It is that
%#$* breathing tube. I truly feel that I will get past this just fine.
Thanks for listening:)
georgi
 
Ask them before they put you out if they can get a pediatrics tube instead of the full size adults. I don't know that it's possible, but it's sure worth the try. At any rate, should you wake with the tube in, try not to fight it and breath with the pulses from the vent, not against it. You'll be so well sedated that you may not even remember it and it may be out when your mostly with it.

I've been intubated more then I care to mention. The vent and I hate each other equally. Through all of them, I've learned how to make the best of the situation.
 
Ross said:
Through all of them, I've learned how to make the best of the situation.
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I can relate to that Ross! I remember motioning to my sister to give me a piece of paper & pen when I was intubated, to relay to her & my mom that I was all right, at least that's what I thought I had written. My beloved, late, mom saved that little piece of paper for me, along w/my heart pillow, & when I look at the paper today, 32 yrs later, all I can make out is an I o k. barely readable! :) Brings back such memories!
 
yeah, the breathing tube was one of my worst fears, too, not being in control of my own breath ... fortunately for me (and them !) I was out of it most of the time I had it; I remember a couple times when I woke up enough to try and pull it out, but someone always came along real quick, and then ZZZZing until the next time ! By the time I was really awake, the first thing they did was remove it, so as I say, I was really lucky !

I am sure if you ask, they will at least give you a mild sedative or something to stop any panic - these days, they don't want you any more uncomfortable or in pain than you have to be.
 
njean said:
I can relate to that Ross! I remember motioning to my sister to give me a piece of paper & pen when I was intubated, to relay to her & my mom that I was all right, at least that's what I thought I had written. My beloved, late, mom saved that little piece of paper for me, along w/my heart pillow, & when I look at the paper today, 32 yrs later, all I can make out is an I o k. barely readable! :) Brings back such memories!
Click to expand...

Dear Georgi,

I need to "retract" the above statement; I don't want anyone to think that I contracted "mad cow disease" during the holidays!:) I certainly don't want to pass errorenous information to anyone awaiting OHS that you will be able to communicate at all when you have that breathing tube down your throat. In fact, as you come in & out of conciousness, your first instinct is to try to yank that thing out of your throat therefore, you will probably have your hands restrained to the bed rails until it is removed.

What I meant to say, is that after the breating tube was removed, I was then put on oxygen & I wanted to communicate to my mom & sis that I was okay but I couldn't because I had the oxygen mask on my mouth. (my sister set me straight on this yesterday in talking to her.)

So, I just wanted to clear that up. The breathing tube is probably the worse part of it all --- but just try to keep in mind to relax & realize that it will be there to sustain you until you're able to breathe on your own. Best of luck to you!:)
 
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